77 Interesting Facts About Weddings

77 Interesting Facts About Weddings

1. In the United States, there is no law or religious dictate that says the bride must take the groom’s last name. However, approximately 70% of Americans agree that a bride should change her last name.
2. The Fijians believe that the god Nangganangga, who watches over married couples, will not let a bachelor enter Fijian paradise and will turn him to ash if he dies before he is married.
3. The Penan nomads who live on the island Borneo (southwest of the Philippines) maintain that women do not have a soul until their wedding day.
4. In States where no blood tests or physical exams are required, failing to tell your prospective spouse that you have a venereal disease or a physical impairment (such as impotence or infertility) can void the marriage.
5. Early Roman brides carried a bunch of herbs, such as garlic and rosemary, under their veils to symbolize fidelity and fertility and to ward off evil. These herbs served as a precursor to the modern bridal bouquet.
6. The phrase “Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue, and a silver sixpence in her shoe” symbolizes continuity, optimism for the future, borrowed happiness, fidelity, and wealth or good luck, respectively.
7. Because white is the color of mourning in Eastern cultures, white wedding dresses are uncommon.
8. Las Vegas is the top wedding destination with over 100,000 weddings a year, followed by Hawaii at 25,000 weddings a year.
9. The tradition of the “ring finger” is based on an erroneous historical belief in a “vein of love”
   Wedding rings are often placed on the third finger of the left hand because ancient Egyptians believed the vein in that hand (which the Romans called the “vein of love”) ran directly to the heart.
10. The bride’s veil traditionally symbolized her youth and virginity. Veils also hid the bride from jealous spirits or the Evil Eye. In the past, veils could be red, blue or yellow (the color of Hymen, the Greek god of marriage). The modern white veil became popular during the Victorian era as a symbol of purity and modesty. A white veil also connoted that a bride was wealthy enough to wear white.
11. In many cultures, the groom historically often kidnapped the bride, and the groom’s friends would help him, leading to the modern-day groomsmen. At the alter, the groom always stood on the bride’s right side so his right hand—or his sword hand—would be free to fight/defend a jealous rival.
12. Flower girls traditionally threw flower petals in the bride’s path to lead her to a sweet, plentiful future.
13. Nearly all cultures have showered the wedding couple with symbolic food. For example, the French throw wheat, Sicilians throw wheat bread and salt, and the English throw pieces of cake. Early Romans or Greeks threw nuts, dates, and seed-bearing plants. Bulgarians have thrown figs.
14. Throwing rice at weddings symbolizes fertility, prosperity, and bounty. In some countries, the bride might even carry or wear sheaves of grain. However, many modern churches and wedding locations discourage rice throwing because rice can be fatal for birds who eat it.
15. Guests in ancient times would tear off part of the bride’s gown as tokens of good luck, leading to the tradition of the bride throwing both her garter and her bouquet.
16. A wedding cake is traditionally a symbol of good luck and fertility and has been a part of wedding celebrations since Roman times, when a small bun, symbolizing fertility, was broken above the bride’s head at the close of the ceremony. During the Middle Ages, custom required the bride and groom to kiss over small cakes.
17. The phrase “tying the knot” initially came from an ancient Babylonian custom in which threads from the clothes of both the bride and bridegroom were tied in a knot to symbolize the couple’s union. Literally tying some type of ceremonial knot at a wedding ceremony can be found across cultures.
18. In some African ceremonies, it was a sentiment of well wishing to greet the new bride with the words: “May you bear 12 children with him.”
19. A bride is traditionally carried over the threshold either to symbolize her reluctance to leave her father’s home or because evil spirits hovered over the threshold of a house—so she was lifted over the entrance to protect her from the spirits.
20. Pope Innocent III’s creation of an “engagement” period led to separate engagement and wedding rings
    Pope Innocent III (1160/1-1216) declared that a waiting period should be observed between betrothal and marriage, which led to separate engagement and wedding rings. The first recorded account of a diamond engagement ring was in 1477 when King Maximilian I of Germany (1459-1519) proposed to Mary of Burgundy (1457-1482) and offered her a diamond to seal his vow.
21. During Biblical times, shoes were seen as a badge of authority because they lifted a person off the ground, differentiating them from barefoot slaves and serfs. They were used to seal a bargain and fathers would give his son-in-law a pair on the wedding day as symbol of transferring authority.
22. In Great Britain, it was considered good luck for the bride to kiss a chimney sweep on her wedding day. He supposedly had special powers, and when he cleans the chimney, he also sweeps away evil spirits.
23. A morganatic marriage is a union of a person of royal blood with one of inferior rank. Such a marriage is called a “left-hand marriage” because at the wedding ceremony, the husband holds the bride’s hand with his right hand with his left hand. Though these marriages are recognized by the church, the father cannot confer on their children his rank or property.
24. In Afghanistan, a man who wanted to marry a woman would cut off a lock of her hair or throw a sheet over her and proclaim her his bride.
25. The Ozark people located in central America believed placing the dried tongue of a turtle dove in a loved one’s house would persuade him or her to marry.
26. Bedouin girls will often begin to sew their wedding dresses when they turn nine years old and so that they will finish their gown before they marry at the age of fourteen or fifteen.
27. All over the world, there is a long tradition of mock battles to keep the groom away from the bride on their wedding day. For example, in Thailand, a groom often will find the entrance of the bride’s house roped off until he offers money to get through. In some nomadic tribes in Central Asia, a groom and his party would pursue his bride on horseback—as she was riding away carrying a newly slaughtered lamb.
28. Puritans banned wedding rings because they thought they were “frivolous” jewelry or relics of Popery.
29. In many countries, a yellow wedding dress has traditionally been seen as a sign of a wife’s intention to cheat on her husband or of jealousy.
30. The act of the bride and groom sharing symbolic wedding cake goes back to ancient times
    Much like the modern tradition of feeding wedding cake to one’s spouse, in ancient Rome, couples pledged their unity by sharing food. Today a Japanese bride and groom drink sake together, Jewish couples drink from the same cup of consecrated wine, and Muslim couples eat from the same piece of candy.
31. Greek brides believed that tucking a lump of sugar into the wedding gown would bring sweetness throughout married life.
32. To ensure fertility, the Irish would take a hen that was about to lay an egg and tie it to the wedding bed.
33. Because ducks mate for life, a Korean groom will ask a happily married friend to make him two small wooden ducks for his new household.
34. Oriental wedding dresses often display embroidered cranes, which are symbols of life-long fidelity. At Japanese weddings, the presence of 1001 white paper origami cranes is considered good luck.
35. In Egypt, women will pinch the bride to bring good luck to those who pinched her.
36. In India, it is considered a form of protection and luck to be symbolically married to a tree.
37. In present-day Saudi Arabia, Iran, and Pakistan, a girl who loses her virginity before marriage may be punished or murdered along with her lover by the males of her own family.
38. Some tribes in central Asia held that a bride’s hymen should be broken not by her husband, but by her maternal grandfather. If he was not willing or alive, a cousin from her mother’s side was responsible to perform the task.
39. Eskimos would bring their brides to a priest for divine unflowering.
40. In Europe during the Middle Ages, the lord of the manor had a legal right to spend the first night with any non-noble bride on his land (“le droit du seigneur” or “right of the lord”).
41. The average number of wedding guests is 175
    An average wedding in the United States has 175 guests.
42. After a Jewish wedding, the groom stomps on a glass which is wrapped in a cloth while people clap and shout congratulations (“Mazel tov!”). The broken glass symbolizes the frailty of human happiness or perhaps the destruction of the Israelite temple in A.D. 70. Some Jewish husbands argue that it means they will have the authority in the house or that shattered glass symbolizes the easing of sexual penetration on the first night of marriage.
43. In Jewish weddings, if the bride is the last marriageable daughter in her family, her mother is crowned with a wreath of leaves (a krenzel) and family and friends dance around her.
44. In Siberia, it is believed that it is a sin to remain single and that the soul of a bachelor becomes a dzheretinnik (heretic) that remains on the earth to scare the living.
45. In Ethiopia, women from certain tribes place plates in their lower lip in order to entice a rich groom. The larger the protruding lip, the more a groom will pay.
46. In many societies, families save money to cover wedding expenses the same way Americans save money to cover a child’s college education. Many parents start saving money as soon as a daughter is born.
47. In many Muslim countries and parts of Greece, the groom is expected to show the virginal blood on the sheets the morning after the wedding. The couple’s family is waiting outside to ensure the bride was a virgin and the husband was virile.
48. Some scholars claim the word “honeymoon” comes from the Teutonic custom when newlyweds would hide out and drink hydromel (a fermented honey and water mixture) for 30 days until the moon waned.
49. Green is typically not worn at Scottish weddings because it is the color of fairies and an omen of revenge. It is considered unlucky to even eat green vegetables at a wedding.
50. The busiest wedding days in the United States, in order of popularity, are Saturday afternoon, Saturday morning, Friday evening, and Sunday afternoon. A late afternoon or early evening wedding is generally more expensive than an earlier wedding.
51. In the U.S., Fireman’s Fund Insurance Company offers wedding insurance, which can cover any retaking of photographs, wedding attire or wedding gift replacements, and public liability.
52. More than 40% of couples now plan their weddings together, and three out of four grooms help select items for their wedding gift registries.
53. Seventy-five percent of engaged couples in the United States pay for some or all of their own wedding.
54. In Mediterranean countries, Jordan almonds are given to guests at a wedding to represent the bitter and the sweet sides of marriage.
55. The top 10 “First Dance” songs in the U.S. include “The Way You Look Tonight,” “Just the Way You Are,” “Come Away with Me,” Unforgettable,” “Wonderful Tonight,” “From This Moment On,” “This I Promise You,” “Thank You For Loving Me,” “Don’t Want to Miss a Thing,” and “All I Ask of You.”
56. The superstition that the bridegroom must not see his bride before the wedding stems from the days when marriages were arranged and the groom might never have seen the bride. There was the chance that if he saw her, he might bolt. Other sources say that to see the bride in her dress is peering into the future, which can bring bad luck.
57. In Tibet, polyandry, or a woman with more than one husband, is not uncommon. For example, a herdsman will share his wife with his brothers and half-brothers.
58. Queen Victoria’s wedding cake was three yards wide and weighed 300 pounds.
59. Queen Elizabeth II had 12 wedding cakes. The one she cut at her wedding was nine feet tall and weighed 500 pounds.
60. In America, T.V. soap opera weddings attract more viewers than a presidential address.
61. Wedding bells are an important symbol of a wedding. Traditionally, it was believed that demons were scared off by loud sounds, so following a wedding ceremony, anything that could make noise was used to create a diversion.
62. In several countries, including Germany and Greece, the bride attempts to cover her new husband’s foot while dancing in order to establish dominance.
63. A double wedding is traditionally considered bad luck because it’s too much happiness for evil demons to overlook.
64. In Bali, a bride holds a cloth in front of the groom, who strikes it through with a dagger, in a display of obvious symbolism.
65. A wedding between two American slaves could not include the words “until death do us part” because plantation masters had the power to part husband and wives. Because slaves were not allowed to have a Christian ceremony, they invented their own ceremonies that often included the bride and groom jumping over a broom, the broom being the symbol of home in certain parts of Africa.
66. During a Javanese wedding celebration, the couple takes three rolled-up betel leaves each and throws them at one another for good luck.
67. The bachelor or stag party supposedly started in fifth-century Sparta where military compatriots would feast and toast one another on the eve of a wedding, like warriors going to battle.
68. “Matrimony” is from the Latin matrimonium, from matrem (“mother”) + monium (“action, state, condition”).
69. Before the 1500s, couples in Europe were free to marry themselves. It wasn’t until 1564 when the Council of Trent declared marriage was a sacrament that weddings became the province of priests and churches.
70. Over 74% of first-time brides receive a diamond engagement ring, with the diamond (first discovered in India over 2,000 years ago) symbolizing pure and eternal love. The Greeks thought diamonds (adamas) were tears of the gods, and the Romans thought diamas or diamonds were splinters from heavenly stars.
71. In the United States, June is the most popular month for weddings, followed by August.
72. Nearly $72 billion is spent on weddings every year in the United States.
73. Before the church declared marriage a sacrament, couples often sought sacred places in nature to wed, such as a hilltop or cliff, where the earth supposedly meets heaven.
74. In England, before literacy rates were high, invitations to weddings were shouted out by “bidders,” who were old men hired to announced the details of the wedding.
75. “Three times a bridesmaid, never a bride” dates to about the sixteenth century. It was believed that if young maiden who had been a bridesmaid three times was unable to catch the eye of unmarried males, then she never would. But, if she served seven times as a bridesmaid, the spell was broken and the woman was thought to be a sure bet for marriage.
76. Because eyebrows are considered intensely alluring in the Orient, historically the bride’s eyebrows were shaved entirely, rendering her powerless to attract a man.
77. The Old English word for the wedding cereomony was bridelope, which literally met “bridal run.” The word “wed” derives from the Proto-IndoEuropean base wadh, meaning to pledge or redeem.

Our Wedding Party

I can't believe I haven't introduced our wedding party. Here they are:

Our Boys!!

Best Man: Marco Iacoviello

Best friend of the groom

Marco and Dave have been friends for 15 years. I was introduced to him and Loretta (Marco's wife) 8 years ago.








Groomsman: Ralph Iannazzo
Brother of the groom

Ralph is Dave's older brother.
















Groomsman: Peter Iannazzo

Brother of the groom

Peter (AKA PJ) is Dave's youngest brother.

Groomsman: Brandan Sferrazza

Nephew of the groom

Brandan is the first born grandchild in the family.








Ring Barer: Massimo Iacoviello
Son of the Best Man

He's just the cutest...

Our Girls!!

Maid of Honour: Deanna Garbutt
Cousin of the bride

Deanna and I have been very close, ever since we were little. Every memory that I have growin up, she has been a part of my life. The sister I never had...even fought like sister.













Bridesmaid: Loretta Iacoviello
Friend of the bride

Loretta and I became friends through her husband, and my husband to be.
As you can see in the picture, she has her hands full with two little ones under the age of 5.













Bridesmaid: Dina Alaimo
Cousin of groom & friend of bride

Was introduced to Dina through Dave, and we have been close ever since.















Bridesmaid: Alicia Ryan

Niece of groom

Tips

**Before hiring your DJ, make sure to browse their music catalogue.

**If you can’t decide on a cake flavour, choose a different one for every tier.

**Make sure you invest in a long lasting lippy for your special day, one that won’t kiss all over your new mister, after all, you want him to be picture perfect!

**Need a little help with planning? Check to see if your venue has an onsite planner—you may be able to get their services included in your package. They can help organize catering, flowers, and transportation.

**For the freshest and prettiest bouquets and centrepieces, choose flowers that are in season in your area.

**Have a manicure on the day before your wedding in a pretty nude shade, a colour that won’t overpower your new bling.

**Don’t forget to book a hair and makeup trial before your day so your and your beauty team can perfect your aisle style.

**The most important gown shopping tip: pick something that flatters your body type! This simple style philosophy is one for your groom to remember too.

**Score a great deal on your wedding gown by shopping the end of season sales—you’ll get a gorgeous dress at a great price!

**Skip tradition and have your wedding photos taken before your ceremony—you’ll look glam, gorgeous and less stressed!

**For a twist, consider food stations instead of the usual sit-down dinner.

**Personalize your party with custom cocktails!

Incorporate Personal Tastes & Ideas

Many young couples choose to follow traditional wedding ceremony protocol. Others are setting new standards by incorporating their personal tastes and simple ideas in the wedding day celebrations.

Whether the ceremony is planned at an elaborate place of worship or in a quaint chapel, you can customize the ceremony with the following ideas:

Pew Markers: They are used to designate rows for special guests. Whether made from flowers, material bows, grapevine wreaths, or cups with tasteful decorations, this is a detonate way to show your personal touch. Some houses of worship restrict decorations, so check with the officiate before making a decorative pew arrangements.

Programs: The program tells guests what to expect, and can explain the meaning behind ceremonial traditions. This is also a great way for you to include a symbol of you and your fiancé’s interests. Include motifs, symbols or images that reflect your interests, tastes or hobbies. You can also include a poem or quote from a favourite writer. A program can also feature a “who’s who” in the wedding party, along with a few lines about their relationship to the bride and groom. Consider rolling the sheets of the program into scrolls and tie the ribbons, lace or raffia.

Music: It’s another classic way to personalize the ceremony and reception. The ceremonial music you choose expresses your personal tastes, while, the guests are waiting for the ceremony to begin, request instrumental music that honours your family’s heritage. Or, if there is a particular musician that you and your fiancé enjoy, include a few of these songs.

Prayer: It’s a lovely idea to include a silent prayer. During the ceremony or before the dinner, you can honour any deceased parents or siblings or special guests who couldn’t attend the wedding.

Unity Candle: The bride and groom, together, may want to light a candle in memory of a specific guest. The joint lighting of a candle can also be performed after being pronounced husband and wife. When featured as ‘unity candle lighting’, it symbolizes two families coming together.

25 Trends

1. Destination Weddings: Some couples are opting to combining their wedding with their honeymoon. People who are truly important to the couple will make the trip.

2. Bling! The ‘Wow’: Factor is still very much a part of the couple’s reception. Jewel tones in linen and crystals in centrepieces and floral are prominent.

3. Entertainment: Special entertainment ensures that your wedding is talked about for years to come. Whether it’s a magician, a belly dancer or a professional singer, it will create a buzz.

4. Two or More Dresses: One for the service, one for the reception. It’s a splurge, but its also a trend.

5. Botox: Everyone will wonder why you look so refreshed on your wedding day! You may look as if you were at a spa for a week.

6. Trash the Dress: When it’s over, it’s over. Some brides are having some fun after the wedding! Jump in the ocean, roll around on hills or dance in the rain!

7. Funky Accessories: Bring your personality to your outfit by having jewellery custom made by a friend or a cool designer. Chunky, bold pieces will make a statement.

8. Add Your Personality: Dye your petticoat a different color or wear funky-coloured shoes. How about a brightly coloured shrug or shawl?

9. Coloured Wedding Dress: Choose a pastel blush or a vibrant hue; coloured wedding dresses are being offered by all your favourite designers.

10. Rock Star Photo Shoots: Get a little edgy and fun during your photo session. Those will be the photos you will enjoy the most.

11. Wedding Cake: Cakes for 2010 are stacked with alternating shapes. Hexagons, circles, and squares are the most popular, adorned with free scroll work.

12. Cup Balls: Move over cupcakes, because cup-balls are the newest rage. Essentially, it is prepared cake, mixed in with butter cream icing, rolled in a ball and covered with glaze. Cup balls offer the perfect cake to icing ratio in every bite.

13. Tapas and Bites: These tiny offerings are big for the cocktail hour and the late night snack.

14. Comfort Food: This is hug this year. A late night buffet with grilled cheese and sweet potato fries is a big hit and is replacing desserts and fruit.

15. Interactive Food Stations: Small plates and casual seating makes for a fun social atmosphere.

16. Grand Entrance: You’ve seen the Youtube videos; grand entrances are all the rate. Whether it’s fireworks, a marching band or riding in on a motorcycle, do something special to showcase your arrival.

17. Hourly Surprises: Keep your guests guessing by introducing a new element every hour. A special performance, changing the room colour through lighting, a poutine stations, a slushy bar or sundae bar will keep them guessing all night long.

18. A Flawless Event: Couples are hiring a certified wedding co-ordinator to help them every step of the way or just for the day to ensure their event goes off without a hitch.

19. Mass Transportation: Take drinking and driving out of the equation and hire a shuttle or school bus to chauffeur your guests to and from your event.

20. Inspiration Boards: Whether you prefer cut and paste or one of the many free websites, create an inspiration board to help you plot and envision your entire wedding.

21. 100 Mile Diet: Use foods that are organic and grown close to home for better tasting food that supports your local farmers.

22. Green Weddings: Follow the 3 R’s. You don’t have to sacrifice style to have an eco-friendly event.

23. Change the Time: Breakfast and luncheons are a memorable and welcome change of pace. They‘re most cost effective too!

24. Location, Location, Location: Choose somewhere fun and unexpected to have your reception. Whether its an amusement park, museum, castle or a boat, choose a place that has a personal meaning for both of you.

25. Make and Exit: Once again, couples are leaving before their guest in a grand exit rather than closing the party.

Vendor Tips

Transportation

**Keep the bridal party together. Instead of renting a vintage car for the bride and groom and a limo for the bridal party, keep everyone in on vehicle. This way you’ll only have to rent one limo instead of two, thereby saving lots of money.
**Go with a large, reputable company as they work on volume and will be able to provide you with a better price.

Photography

**Get only what you need. Decide on what’s most important shots of the ceremony, family portraits or candid photos of you and your new spouse, and make this your focus. Plan out your day and estimate how long you think this will take. If you decide it will take five hours, work with your photographer to come up with a five hour package. If you are only interested in a DVD of the high resolution images, which you are free to print yourself, then hire a photographer who offers this as a stand along service.
**If you have your heart set on hiring a photographer who is out of your budge, ask if they offer a payment plan whereby the money can be paid in instalments.

Wedding Cakes

**Consider serving your wedding cake as the main dessert after dinner. Instead of paying for a dessert from your caterer, opt out and utilize the cake so that every guest can taste the gorgeous creation. When choosing the cake as your main dessert, consider getting a smaller cake (perhaps a smaller three tier one) and substituting the remaining servings with sheet cake, which are kept in the kitchen. Sheet cakes are the same as the main cake, except that they lack the decorations present on the wedding cake. This way all of your guests will be sure to receive a delicious slice of cake.
**Consider the design of the cake that you are choosing. Most wedding cakes are placed in front of the head table facing all the guests. Choose a design that gives you the look you desire from the front with simpler, more economical design elements in the back; no one will even notice!

Flowers

**Think carefully about which flowers make the most impact and where you can compromise. Eliminate the ceremony flowers altogether. If your wedding takes place in a church, synagogue, or beautiful garden, the space really doesn’t need to be adorned. Another suggestion—splurge on your bouquet and scrimp on your maid’s bouquet.
**Go with flowers that are in season. Roses, hydrangeas and orchids (used sparingly year round; tulips and amaryllis from December to April; peonies in June; sunflowers and dahlias midsummer; colourful local hydrangeas and dahlias in the fall. Bad months for local flowers are July and November.

Toast to Love

**Hershey Kisses Pull: Get a bowl full of silver kisses and gold kisses. If someone pulled a gold kiss, the bride and groom kiss. If they pull a silver kiss, they have to kiss another guest.
**Have a trivia game where a question about the bride and groom or the couple was written on a card, and if the guest or guests guessed the right answer, the couple would have to kiss.
**Use a putting green at the front and you have to get a hole-in-one for us to kiss. If you miss, you have to kiss another guest, and its our choice as to whom.

Here Comes the Bridesmaids

There’s something wonderful about being a bridesmaid—and something unsettling. You want to look your very best, but it’s really bad taste to try to outshine the bride!

Downside
You need to be available to help the bride in the months preceding the wedding. And it’s expensive to be an attendant. As well as you may not be comfortable in the gown you are expected to wear. These all must be considered before you say “YES!”

Upside
It’s great to be an insider at a special occasion. And you’ll be a winner if the bride offers to just select the gown color but then allow each of her attendants to choose their own style.

Choosing Your Style

Be ruthless about examine your figure.

*If you have un-toned arms, perhaps a cape sleeve or a dress with a shrug or small cape.

*If you have a thick waist, consider a drop waist.

*If you have great legs, consider a just below the knee dress.

*If you have wide hips, have a dress with a gentle flair that will make the hips less of a factor.

*If you are heavy, avoid all stiff fabrics, such as taffeta or a heavy lace. Choose a soft fabric that will follow the lines of the body or fall in soft folds.

Last Word
You may not be a queen for the day, but you’re entitled to be a princess, so go for it!

Golden Rule
You may not absolutely love your bridesmaid’s dress, but wear it with a smile.

Fashion Cents

How to find your dream dress for less than $1000

It’s tempting to pretend money is no object when it comes to selecting your ultimate wedding gown, but the reality is that spending tens of thousands of dollars on a big name designer creation just isn’t in the cards for most of you—unless you plan on starving your guests. The average amount most is will to spend on a dress is $1028. That being said, there are plenty of ways to find the dress of your dreams on a budget. From bargain hunting to borrowing, here are some tips on finding your perfect fit for less.

Point and Click
Not only is internet shopping convenient, it’s also a great way to access some unbelievable deals. Many brand new gowns are going for a song on the web, often because a bridge to be simply changed her mind. Sites like eBay, Craiglist, and Kijiji abound with ads from bridge looking to sell.

Bargain Hunt
Sample sales are not for the faint heart, but when it comes to finding designer dresses for less, they can’t be beat. Advice? Come prepared. Scope out the store ahead of time, and hit the racks with a clear idea of what you’re looking for. Second hand stores, especially upscale consignment stores, are another great resource. Thrift stores in a upscale part of town can unearth hidden treasures.

Borrow
Want an even cheaper option? Ask co-workers, friends and relatives if they have a wedding dress you can borrow for the big day. Wearing a dress with a little history and whole lot of sentimental value and will add an extra special touch to the days festivities (and it’s budget friendly too!).

Compromise
Factors like the amount of details , the fabric type, and the quality of the fabric determine a gown’s price. Choose which is most important to you and focus on that. If you’ve always dreamed of a lace gown, find one with minimal beading and embroidery and forgo fancy French lace for a more affordable variety.

Customize

One of the major advantages of having a gown made to measure is that you can control the fabric choice and amount of detail from the get go and everything is created from scratch with your budget in mind. Additionally, your custom designer may be able to re-create a high end style that you have always admired, but at a fraction of the cost.

Dress Dos

1. Shop Around: You probably already have a certain style of dress in mind, and that’s great, but you should try to keep an open mind once you’re in the store. Some dresses don’t look very impressive on the hanger, but they’re stunning on the body. For this reason, it’s important to be receptive to your salesperson’s recommendations and try on as many dresses as possible. You may be surprised which dress you fall in love with!

2. Location, Location: Where you’re hosting your big day will definitely help you narrow down your selection of dresses. You’ll want to choose a dress that complements your celebration setting; a voluminous ball-gown for a grand church wedding, for instance, or a flirty cocktail length dress for a quirky brunch party. Also, be mindful of fabric choices. You don’t want to be wearing a heavy satin gown on the beach in Jamaica!

3. Dollars and Sense: Setting a budget from the get go will save a lot of heartbreak. After all, you don’t want to fall in love with a dress that is way out of your price range. Be realistic. Why try on a Vera Wang gown if it’s never going to happen? That being said, if you do have your eye on a designer dress, it’s probably possible to find a similar style in your budgeted price range.

4. Bridal Body: Something else to consider when shopping for your gown is your body shape. Obviously, you want to look your best for the main event, and a dress that flatters your form is of critical importance. The right dress will highlight your favourite parts while concealing trouble spots. Love your arms? Show them off in a strapless number. Not so fond of your tummy? Definitely don’t choose a slinky bias-cut gown.Truly You: Last but no least, select a gown that expresses your personality. Nowadays, almost anything goes in a mini-dress to suits and brightly coloured ensembles, so feel free to experiment. If you favour a traditional dress, but still want pizzazz, try some fun-loving accessories. Items like a bold necklace or ruby shoes will definitely show off your personal style.

Your Reception

1. May we choose our own caterer, florist, DJ and other vendors?
Many sites restrict options to a limited list of suppliers allowed. If you want your reception at one of these sites, you will have to work within their house rules.

2. How many other wedding will likely take place on our day at this site?
If it is a multi wedding location, inquire about quality of sound proofing to avoid the noise from an adjacent wedding reception interrupting your party.

3. Are there options in handling the bar costs?
Can you bring in your own liquor and, if you can, is there a corkage fee? Is there the option of the single price per person regardless of quantity consumed? In a private site, are you responsible for getting your own liquor license?

4. Is there an overtime charge if you want to extend the party?
Be clear about what time the reception is over. If you want to stay another hour, is there a surcharge? How much is it?

5. What are the parking limitations?
Is the parking free? Is there a parking attendant who can help the elderly or handicapped? If so, what tipping is expected?

6. Are there community sound ordinances in the area?
A venue located near a residential area may be required to kill the music at a specific time (often midnight).

7. May we see the chairs, linens, china and crystal available?
You may be able to upgrade—at a cost. Or you may be allowed to rent from an outside supplier. Be very clear about the limitations and what is available.

8. Is the site easily accessible for the elderly or handicapped?
Check the site from the viewpoint of older people. Are there elevators available as well as stairs if it’s not on the ground level?

9. Is the voltage adequate?
If you’re having extra electric lighting or a big band, some sites will require your bringing in a generator.

10. What about early access to the room for suppliers to do their work?
You need time for your florist to put floral or tree decor in place and a time allowances for the band or DJ to set up.

11. Are there enough bathrooms for all our guests?
Ideally, there should be on toilet stall for every 35 guests. Also check their bathrooms for cleanliness.

12. Will there be any disruptive changes before your wedding?
Sometimes sites renovate and have scaffolding in view or tear up their gardens to make changes. Ensure that there will be no disruptions prior to your wedding day.

Think the Guest List is Tough Just Wait Until You Do the Seating Plan

Size of Wedding
The size of the wedding depends on whose picking up the bill. If costs are being shared (say one third paid by each set of parents and one third paid by the bridal couple), call a meeting and have approximate costs on hand.
Those costs break down into meal prices per head at various reception sites, estimates of liquor wine, flowers for both reception and service site, invitations, photographer, cake, limousine, gratuities, clergy costs related to the site of the service (such as a church) and any other items you plan on having.
Finally, add on taxes and tips and then give a copy to each contributor.

Limit Extra People
You may choose to have an adult wedding. You don’t have to invite your friend’s kids, therefore, unless you choose to make it a family event. You don’t have to permit your single friends to bring a date, either (unless they’re in a committed relationship or living together.
Here’s the kicker; you cannot—must not—make any exceptions or you’ll irritate all those who weren’t allowed to bring their dates or their children.

Negotiations Begin
When they pick themselves up off the floor, reality will sink in and it’s time to talk about who’s prepared to pay what.
A word to the wise; It’s better to have a wedding with 50 guests and do it right than have 150 guests and start skimping.
This initial meeting is the time for everyone to say their piece about exactly how, when and how much they will contribute. Armed with this information, the decision is made about how many guests you will have.
After the meeting, someone should be designated to set up a budget, with the payer’s name beside each item.
Send a copy to those who are opening their wallets.

Let’s Suppose
Assume everybody has agreed that there will be 100 guests and also all agreed that it will be an adult wedding (no kids) and that singles come alone (no dates).
Who gets the lion’s share of the invitation?
If the wedding is entirely hosted by the bridal couple, it’s their wedding and they call the shots. The parents are in truth, honoured guests (although they may have couple of very closes friends they hope you will include).
If the hosts are the parents, it is usual for the two families and the bridal couple to each get on third of the invitations. If one set of parents lives out of town and have a few friends able to attend, they will give up their share of their invitations which can then go to those most in need of a few extra.

If the Wedding is Entirely Hosted by the Bridal Couple, It’s Their Wedding and They Call the Shots

Save the Date Cards
It’s helpful to send out save-the-date cards four to six months before the wedding because friends likely will let you know if the date doesn’t work for them. This allows you to add a few relatives or friends who didn’t make the original list.
The information on save-the-date cards should be minimal. (save all the interesting details for the invitations) You can be visually creative, but the wording can be limited.

Example:
Save the Date
April 10, 2010-11-07
Vancouver, British Columbia
Sara Jennifer Jones and Mark Smith
Tough Decisions

It takes discipline and the ability to make hard decisions when paring down the final list. You start, of course, with close family and personal friends. But who gets invited from your office? How about the people you’re friendly with at your gym? What about those second cousin’s you rarely see?
You have to make your own determinations because there are no rules. People you work with may be limited to your own department, or only those you see outside of the office, or just the boss who will represent the office.
Relatives you rarely see may take precedence over friends, depending on your family dynamic—this is where parents sometimes get pushy. It’s never easy.
But just wait until you have to do the seating plane!

Stick to your own rules:
No Kids. No Dates. No Exception.

Guest List Success

1. Divide and Conquer: Divide your list between both sides of the family and mutual friends. Act diplomatically and be prepared to make certain concessions; your list shouldn't be based on how much each family is spending on the wedding.
TIP: With the cost of today's weddings, you can assume that you'll spend about $100 on each guest—a fact you should consider when compiling your guest list and planning your reception.

2. Don't Obsess About Obligation: Don't worry about inviting business associates and family acquaintances because you feel obligated. This is your ceremony, and you deserve to be surrounded by people who mean something to you.
TIP: Set a firm date when you need to receive the guest list from both sets of parent. This deadline will keep them organized and prevent the option of adding stragglers after the list has been completed. Consider limiting the number of guests each set of parents can suggest inviting to stay sane.

3. Set Ground Rules: If your guest list is oversized set restrictions you and your fiancé agree to and discuss them with both sets of parents. Make sure to do this in person so the conclusion is mutual and no one feels left out.

4. Address the Children: Consider whether or not you want childen at your wedding. You may need a playroom, babysitter, and a special children’s menu depending on how many attend.

5. The Plus One Rule: The spouses, fiancés and significant others of those you invite should always to be invited as well. You also need to determine whether or not single guests can bring a date with them.
TIP: If you’re concerned about the size of your guest list, you can always opt for a less expensive reception. Finger foods such as hors d oeuvres and desserts are economical fare, brunch is an excellent way to cut costs—neither will break the bank and both retain an element of simplicity and elegance.

6. Be Consistent with Your Party People: Guests that attend your engagement parties and showers must be invited to the wedding.

7. Consider Your Invitation Options: You can have ceremony only invitations, but consider this option carefully. This could cause hurt feelings among those who were not invited to the reception.Merry Go Rounds: Send out a first round of invitations to the people you absolutely want at your wedding, with an early date to RSVP. If any of those invites are sadly unable to attend, you’ll be able to invite other people who may be on secondary or tertiary lists.

Wedding Countdown

1. Guest Count: Are all your guests accounted for...This is a major must check so you don't have to face the obstacle of adding on extra plate at the last minute at your reception. Do a re-count to see who has RSVP’d and who hasn't.
TIP: To speed up the process ask your bridal party to help you count the guest list.

2. All About You: If you haven't already ensure that all your beauty (hair, make up, spa) essentials are booked solid. The worst thing is showing up for your wedding day appointment only to find out you`ve been double booked. Your wedding day is not the day to experiment with new vendors.

3. Weather Worry: This is the last thing you have to fret about, but a week before the wedding, it'd be a good plan to keep an eye out for the weather. You should have a back up plan set just in case a storm rolls in.

4. Confirm! Confirm! Confirm!: Cannot stress enough. It's best to call and confirm with all your vendors—especially the ones coming on the day of (ie transportation, caterer, photographer, florist, etc...) that they'll be where required at the appropriate time. Most often, vendors will follow up themselves, so if they haven't called a few days prior to your wedding, check in with them.

5. Bridal Emergency Kit: Realistically, there might be a few stumble you encounter along the way on your wedding day. Make sure you have a little 911 kit to go to for your last minute emergencies.

6. Honeymoon Details: If you're jetting off right after your wedding, ensure your luggage is packed and ready to go. The last thing you want to do is stress over what you forgot to pack during your actual wedding. Make a checklist prior to packing and check everything off as you go.

7. Rehearsal Dinner: Make sure your ceremony venue is booked for your dress rehearsal. This is is an important event especially for your bridal party. Stress to them that their attendance is vital as this is the only time you can walk through the wedding day before hand.Important Documents: Check to see that you have all the proper documents ready in order to obtain a proper marriage license. And for those of you changing your last name, see what type of requirements are needed to make changes to your driver's license, bank account, etc...While you're at it, check to see the expiration of your passport—nothing is worse than showing up at the airport only to find out that you can't take off.

365 Days to Go!!

OMG!! 1 year, 12 months, 52 weeks, 365 days...

I am very excited...I have to go through my list of things to do cause I haven't really been following that too much. Hopefully, I'm not too behind on things...